How to Turn Defense Into the Best Opportunity for Offense
Since he started jiu jitsu, Kyle Chambers has developed multiple specialties to utilize in training and competition. They’ve led him to earning his black belt as well as multiple wins at events such as Submission Underground and an Onnit Invitational. He was also a finalist on FloGrappling’s Who’s Next reality series in 2022.
His specialties include inverted guard, leg locking, and finding ways to be counter offensive.
When you find yourself in a bad position, “it is not enough to escape. The best opportunity for you to kill them (metaphorically of course) is actually right after that defense.” This is the concept Kyle fully explores in Escape to Kill, his course here on Jiu Jitsu X.
Getting Into a Bad Position Doesn’t Have to End Badly
Kyle began his jiu jitsu training under 10th Planet coaches Richie and Geo Martinez. One of his first experiences on the mats ended quickly in a gogoplata by Geo. That first encounter could have easily discouraged Kyle, but instead he began to think “if this little guy could choke me with his foot, imagine what I could do with a little bit more discipline and hard work.”
And this is true to Kyle’s mindset towards training still today. It’s all about details and progression. He also clearly focuses on these in his course as well, showing not just how to escape tricky situations, but how to turn them around to work to your advantage.
You’ll learn to recognize your opponent’s intentions and learn how to respond even if it means escaping a scenario in which your opponent temporarily thinks they have the upper hand.
For example: knee on belly. Chances are you’ve been smashed here before. Might as well call it neon belly because your torso seems to be a sign emblazoned with letters reading “apply pressure here”.
Getting caught in this same scenario again and again can eventually get so frustrating that you basically consider the match over once you’ve wound up here. But it doesn’t have to be. That’s the beauty of Kyle’s system for “escaping to kill”.
Leveling Up Physically and Mentally
One of Kyle’s favorite non-jiu jitsu pastimes is playing video games. In particular, he enjoys “any games that have some type of progressional building. You know, you start at nothing and you can build up to something. I love that because it resembles life in so many aspects.”
Certainly not a stranger to hard work, Kyle earned two Bachelor’s degrees all while he was achieving his black belt in jiu jitsu. With degrees in criminology/criminal justice and sociology, he plans to pursue a law degree, again while he progresses competitively in jiu jitsu and works towards opening his own gym.
Of his drive he says: “I want to really push myself. I don't wanna be complacent. You know, it's not enough for me to just be good in one category. I wanna be good at everything.”
What obviously sustains him through this hard work is a combination of wanting to make himself proud, and gratitude. When he speaks of his family, his friends, and his team, he lights up. It’s important to find what drives you to work hard too.
Luckily, you’ll have a head start in at least one category if you decide to check out Escape to Kill! You can jump in right now with three free lessons right here.
And check Kyle’s continued endeavors out here on his instagram.
